Cars Might Actually be Getting Less Reliable

New data from AAA suggests that cars today are experiencing more breakdowns than in the past. 

A record-breaking 32 million drivers were helped with breakdowns in 2015, with most of the calls involving flat tires, dead batteries and issues with keys. Vehicles that are fewer than five years old in particular represented a high proportion of these calls, begging the question: are new cars less reliable?

According to AAA, it’s all about the new technology and advancements in cars that is changing things. “Vehicles today are advanced more than ever, yet are still vulnerable to breakdowns,” said Cliff Ruud, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Solutions. “Sleek, low profile tires are highly susceptible to damage, electronic keyless ignitions can zap battery life and despite advanced warning systems, more than half a million drivers ran out of gas last year.”

SEE ALSO: Most Roadside Breakdowns can be Prevented with Proper Maintenance: AAA

AAA mentions that many modern cars don’t even have spare tires anymore, replaced by tire repair kits, which means more cars need to be towed when they lose a tire. Keyless entry systems can result in getting locked out of the car with it still running, while new low fuel warning systems are tempting drivers to push their luck, with many ending up running out of gas.

Summer remains the most common time for breakdowns, followed by winter, fall and spring. When it comes to days of the week, AAA says that it most common for customers to need help on Mondays and least likely Sundays.